1. The Department of Political Science Presents The Territory of Somewhat Requited Dreams: The Territory of Somewhat Requited Dreams: Creating an ethnically-sensitive state in Nunavut Dr. Annis May Timpson Director of Canadian Studies University of Edinburgh Science Building Lecture Theatre February 12, 2008 @ 7:30pm

2. Interwar politics Socialism in one Country Liberal democracies in the 1920s

3. USSR Problem: what do you do next when you have made an unlikely revolution? Problem: what do you do next when you have made an unlikely revolution? Lenin’s solution: the New Economic Policy (NEP) Lenin’s solution: the New Economic Policy (NEP) Stalin & Stalinism Stalin & Stalinism

4. Marx’s theory of revolution Revolution as the product of class struggle Revolution as the product of class struggle State is the instrument of the ruling class State is the instrument of the ruling class Revolution to occur at the highest phases of capitalism Revolution to occur at the highest phases of capitalism eventual conditions for communism eventual conditions for communism

5. Lenin’s modification Revolution in a backward country can serve as a catalyst for revolution elsewhere Revolution in a backward country can serve as a catalyst for revolution elsewhere Instead, can be brought about by a small conspiratorial organization – a vanguard party Instead, can be brought about by a small conspiratorial organization – a vanguard party Bolsheviks seize power in October 1917 Bolsheviks seize power in October 1917

6. Problems confronting the new regime Establishing control Establishing control What to do about the war? What to do about the war? How to proceed with the revolution? How to proceed with the revolution?

7. Solutions Sue for peace Sue for peace Fight civil war Fight civil war Suspend Constituent Assembly, elected in 1918 Suspend Constituent Assembly, elected in 1918 Implement ‘war communism’ – seize food, material needed for war effort Implement ‘war communism’ – seize food, material needed for war effort Consolidate power in 1920 Consolidate power in 1920

8. The revolutionary project What to do when revolution elsewhere fails to materialize as expected? What to do when revolution elsewhere fails to materialize as expected? Options: Options: Continue to promote world revolution? Continue to promote world revolution? Try to build socialism in one country? Try to build socialism in one country?

9. Lenin’s interim solution: New Economic Policy (NEP) -- a temporary reversion to capitalism (one step backward, two steps forward) in order to get the economy going again (1921-28) New Economic Policy (NEP) -- a temporary reversion to capitalism (one step backward, two steps forward) in order to get the economy going again (1921-28) Ultimate direction: determined by Lenin’s impairment (1922) and death, 1924, and Stalin’s succession to power Ultimate direction: determined by Lenin’s impairment (1922) and death, 1924, and Stalin’s succession to power

10. Stalin’s succession Stalin Stalin A lesser figure in Bolshevik hierarchy A lesser figure in Bolshevik hierarchy However, as general secretary of the Communist Party, well placed However, as general secretary of the Communist Party, well placed Uses control of the administrative apparatus to advance supporters Uses control of the administrative apparatus to advance supporters 1925: Moves against left (Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev) in defense of NEP 1925: Moves against left (Trotsky, Kamenev, Zinoviev) in defense of NEP 1927-28: Moves against Bukharin & moderates, promoting ‘Socialism in one country’ 1927-28: Moves against Bukharin & moderates, promoting ‘Socialism in one country’

11. Stalin’s policies Use of party and state apparatus, including terror, Use of party and state apparatus, including terror, to industrialize USSR to industrialize USSR Plan the economy – via five year plans Plan the economy – via five year plans lay the conditions for socialism and communism lay the conditions for socialism and communism Justification Justification Bourgeoisie in Russia had failed to industrialize the country and establish the conditions for socialism Bourgeoisie in Russia had failed to industrialize the country and establish the conditions for socialism Therefore the party and state will do it instead Therefore the party and state will do it instead

12. Leninism v. Stalinism Democratic centralism (Lenin) presumes that party has a voice Democratic centralism (Lenin) presumes that party has a voice Discussion permitted until a decision made Discussion permitted until a decision made Then everyone adheres Then everyone adheres Under Stalin, party persists, but increasingly attacked Under Stalin, party persists, but increasingly attacked Purges in 1930s used to consolidate power Purges in 1930s used to consolidate power Centralism rather than democratic centralism Centralism rather than democratic centralism

13. Consequences Agriculture collectivized, opponents liquidated Agriculture collectivized, opponents liquidated Russia industrialized Russia industrialized Decline in individual consumption Decline in individual consumption USSR substantially isolated from other countries USSR substantially isolated from other countries But until at least the mid-’30s, a beacon for others But until at least the mid-’30s, a beacon for others From then “The god that failed” – for some From then “The god that failed” – for some

14. Britain & France in the 1920s Continual problems: Continual problems: Containing social forces Containing social forces Coping with “Red Menace” Coping with “Red Menace” Stabilizing their economies Stabilizing their economies Managing economic downturn Managing economic downturn

15. Prevailing economic wisdom: Stabilize currencies by returning to Gold Standard Stabilize currencies by returning to Gold Standard In face of economic downturn, In face of economic downturn, reduce wages & expenditures, allow market to re-adjust reduce wages & expenditures, allow market to re-adjust Restrict imports in order to prevent outflow of gold Restrict imports in order to prevent outflow of gold Little sense of how to manage a national economy to avert recession or depression Little sense of how to manage a national economy to avert recession or depression Difficult in any case to construct a majority in favour of alternate policies Difficult in any case to construct a majority in favour of alternate policies Socialist parties are either isolated, lack stable majorities to bring about change, or themselves lack solutions which might work Socialist parties are either isolated, lack stable majorities to bring about change, or themselves lack solutions which might work

16. Britain in the 1920s Problems of boom (1918-20) followed by economic slump Problems of boom (1918-20) followed by economic slump Efforts to deal with social problems watered down -- Efforts to deal with social problems watered down -- Reflect economic problems and lack of a sustained majority for change. Reflect economic problems and lack of a sustained majority for change. Return to Gold Standard in 1925 compounds economic problems: Return to Gold Standard in 1925 compounds economic problems: Export markets already limited Export markets already limited Insufficient revenue to pay for imports Insufficient revenue to pay for imports Manufacturers lower wages Manufacturers lower wages Results in 1926 General Strike – defeated Results in 1926 General Strike – defeated

17. The Labour Party: Founded in 1900 Founded in 1900 After 1918, a socialist party, committed to public ownership of the means of production After 1918, a socialist party, committed to public ownership of the means of production Also a more serious political force, aided by splits among Liberals Also a more serious political force, aided by splits among Liberals But unable to come to power for sustained periods: But unable to come to power for sustained periods: Ramsey MacDonald leads minority governments both in 1923-4 and 1929-31, but dependent on Liberal support Ramsey MacDonald leads minority governments both in 1923-4 and 1929-31, but dependent on Liberal support Unclear that Labour at this time had solutions other than public ownership Unclear that Labour at this time had solutions other than public ownership

18. France in the 1920s Multiparty politics (as before) Multiparty politics (as before) Continued weak cabinets: Continued weak cabinets: Alternation between Alternation between Bloc National (center-right), determined to make Germany pay Bloc National (center-right), determined to make Germany pay Cartel des Gauche – left coalition – too divided to act Cartel des Gauche – left coalition – too divided to act Ongoing financial crisis because of war debt, reparations Ongoing financial crisis because of war debt, reparations Stabilization under Poincaré in late 1920s – helped by economic recovery Stabilization under Poincaré in late 1920s – helped by economic recovery

19. Bottom line: A good deal of economic dislocation, especially in the earlier part of the decade A good deal of economic dislocation, especially in the earlier part of the decade Some advances in social policy – e.g. public housing, transport, health insurance – but a mixed bag, with reforms often watered down Some advances in social policy – e.g. public housing, transport, health insurance – but a mixed bag, with reforms often watered down Few governments or political leaders prepared to cope with the Great Depression… Few governments or political leaders prepared to cope with the Great Depression… those tools which were available are not widely understood those tools which were available are not widely understood Nor in most instances was there a sufficient political basis Nor in most instances was there a sufficient political basis